Aluboo Fat Bike

First Ride: Aluboo Fat Bike

New aluminum and bamboo fat bike offers a unique alternative within the latest trend

brad ford

While this Aluboo fat bike is finished in natural aluminum, production models will be available in standard colors as well as in custom colors.

(Photo by Brad Ford)

We thought the fat-bike trend hit last year, but that was just a warm-up. Fat bikes were everywhere at Interbike’s Outdoor Demo, from just about every manufacturer. They are available in every common frame material including steel, aluminum, carbon, titanium, and—of course—bamboo. Aluboo has jumped into the fray with its own version of fat bike fun.

Any discussion about fat bikes invariably includes the question “Who really needs one?” The reality is that the number of people who really need one is pretty small, but there seems to be no end to the line of people who really, really want one. With the sudden interest and competition, builders and manufactures are seeking to differentiate their models and claim their share of the market. Aluboo’s choice of frame material naturally helps stand out from the crowd.

Aluboo’s fat bike doesn’t have a name at the moment, but its representatives assured us that would change soon as they will start taking orders in the coming month. Customers can order through their local dealer, or if there is no local dealer, through Aluboo’s website. Bikes and frames will be available starting in December in standard colors, and custom shades are available for an upcharge.

The spec is simple and effective, with a 2x9 SRAM X9 drivetrain, Truvative X9 crankset, PF121 bottom bracket, Avid BB7 disc brakes, and proprietary Aluboo rear hub for the 170mm rear spacing. The complete bike, minus pedals, will retail for $2,495, while the frame and fork will cost $895.

While a fat bike might not be something you need, or even the best option for where you ride, there is no denying they’re fun. Aluboo’s bike, with a claimed weight of 30 pounds, rides surprisingly light. The big tires and wheels aren’t going to be as nimble as a typical mountain bike, but on the dusty singletrack it was far more maneuverable than I anticipated.

The real purpose of the big fat tires is flotation on loose, soft surfaces where traction is an issue, and this was obvious pedaling through sand at the bottom of washes. Probably the most surprising thing was how well the bike climbed—with low gears and plenty of traction, I had no issues climbing the steep ups and sandy mounds around the test trails. At speed the fat tires soaked up the bumps, bouncing along in a pleasing fashion, and had me pumping the whoops, hopping my way down the trail.

Do you need one? No, probably not. Do you want one? That’s for you to decide, but Aluboo’s fat bike delivers a unique kind of fun that is hard to deny.

The team at Aluboo worked hard to reduce Q-factor to the absolute minimum—this wide bottom bracket shell houses a PressFit 121mm bottom bracket. (Brad Ford)